Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. (Though I sure wish I did ^_^.) Author's note: Hm… not much to say… you can still email me at ladydemosthenes9@yahoo.com. Anyone ever heard of the Scarlet Pimpernel? I saw the musical; it was the best! French Revolution, love…humor, the whole bucket load. Yes, I know that was off subject. Aw, yes, this is where the story begins to get exciting. (I already know pretty much how this one ends. I've played it out in my head a billion times.) Please review! The Pirate and the Princess Chapter 8: The Brewing Storm Cold. Dark. Lost. The corridors of the cave twisted this way and that, and Serenity became aware of the fact that no matter how much she tried to get her bearings, she seemed to fail continually. It had been hours since she stormed out and hours since she had come in contact with another living being. Water dripped from above, a constant reminder of the fact that she was far from her luxurious living quarters at home in France. She quivered slightly at the thought of being stranded here for all eternity; every drop of water, every towering stalagmite, and the jagged fangs from above – the stalactites all caused her to feel homesick. She closed cerulean eyes brimming with crystal tears and muttered to herself, "This is only a nightmare." After reassuring herself a dozen times of the fact that this was all surreal and in no way reality, she trudged about hoping in her heart that her instincts would lead her somewhere. Time passed ever so slowly, dragging on like a tortoise under the blistering sun. Her feet were growing weary from the uneven footing, but she managed to pull herself along. And then…Alas! To her delight, she sighted a torch burning, a beacon of hope raising her drenched spirits. In triumph she walked, looking about cautiously and trying to avoid a rendezvous with any pirates. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Demando sat poised on the edge of a silk couch, a comfort that only one of his rank would possess. With parchment and pen in hand, he wrote intently to the king and queen of France, explaining the situation and imploring for the aid of their navy. He chuckled contently; his plans would succeed. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this little mishap would in fact help him in fooling the whole French court! After the wedding, when Serenity was found deceased, who would ever suspect the man who had been determined to save her? It was truly a beautiful plot. Why, if he had not already promised the people to bring Mamoru to justice, he may have rewarded him! "It is inevitable now that I shall be the future supreme ruler of France," he thought folding the letter and then sealing it with his official seal – a mighty serpent preparing to strike. He called in a very ego assured voice, "Sapphir (I saw it this way on one Japanese site, so, I hope it is correct), come here, I have an important endeavor for you." From the dark shadows of the incoming corridor, stepped out a man, tall in figure with darkly colored hair. His eyes flashed with obedience, and instantly he was at his master's side. "I wish for you to take my fastest ship and deliver this to the royalty of France. Inform them of the situation and my vows to save the princess from peril. Assure them, that all will be fine," Demando stated, a smug smile appearing on his face. Sapphir accepted the note and bowed low, a gesture of consenting to do his master's bidding. Without further question, he left the room and commenced his journey. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< To her relief, the warm light of torches lighted the whole passageway into which she had entered. She cavorted through the hall, joyful at the fact that although she was still lost, at least now she was able to see. Presently, she noticed a far set chamber that caught her attention at once. It seemed like déjà vu, for she swore she had seen that room before. And then, realization flooded in- this was the room of that dreaded man, Mamoru. She wanted at once to flee the other way, not wishing to even be close to that horrid pirate's room. But then, at once, she remembered her diary, the one from Ami, which she had so thoughtlessly left there the last time. She shook her head at the dilemma, either she took the risk of being seen for the sake of the gift, or she just walked the other way. But, oh! How she longed companionship at this moment of peril, even if it were that of paper… She succumbed to this desire and hurriedly snuck into the room, her heart pounding with apprehension. The room seemed tidy in most aspects, but she did not stop to think about that. Instantly, she went to the place where she had left the diary, but all in vain. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mamoru trudged down the cave tunnel, head low, mulling over the past events. "Why did I say such?" he wondered to himself, and then, in contradiction he thought, "Why not?" His mind was a cauldron of thoughts, boiling, mixing, all in such unbearable bedlam. To his quarters he walked, shaking his head in utter confusion and intimidation. He sighed, closing his dark blue eyes and traveling by instinct, for he had taken this route so many times, that he could find his way blindfolded. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Frantically, she searched, for Serenity wanted to leave this room as soon as she could. Carefully, she investigated every surface, praying within herself that the pirate leader would not come walking through the door. Her ears caught the sound of steps not too far away. Her heart froze. "What shall I do?" she thought panicked. She glanced about only to find that there was absolutely nowhere to hide. The footsteps grew closer yet, their rhythm like the roll of drums before an execution. She closed her eyes tightly as if it would some how make her transparent. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Eyes still closed, he entered into the room, muttering incoherently and wishing he had handled the earlier situation differently. Consequently, he noticed that there was the sound of desperate breathing other than his own. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked about. Serenity stood as rigid as a statue, fear speckled in her gorgeous eyes. "I didn't think I'd see you after what happened in there," he meant for his voice to sound sincere, but she obviously took it as taunting. "Don't worry, I don't EVER want to see you. I just wanted to get my diary," her voice was bold and defiant. She glanced about quickly, "Perhaps I should just flee whilst I can," she thought. "Oh, that," he said, somewhat sullen, "I began to wonder when you would come for it." He walked over to an ornate table and slowly opened the top drawer. He gently reached in and pulled out the gift, with the utmost delicacy – quite unbecoming of such a ferocious pirate such as himself. He walked over and handed to her. Serenity stared at the item cradled in her hands and then glanced at Mamoru. A thousand thoughts ran through her head at that moment. "Why is he acting like this?" she thought, "this seems so odd, he acts almost like he actually feels guilty." "Something wrong?" he interrogated noticing her confusion. He couldn't decide whether he really wanted her to stay or to leave; in fact, the whole situation had grown into such a mental enigma. The feelings inside were unlike anything he had felt before, and every moment near her made them grow stronger – it was a mixture of dizziness and the engaging feeling one gets when the air is filled with sweet perfume. Serenity froze, but then quickly shook her head. Picking up her flowing skirts, she departed. She wanted to linger longer and feed her curiosity of why he was acting this way, but her impulses made her leave. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The sea churned heartlessly under Saffir's ship; a week into the journey and already bad conditions had been encountered. Rain pounded upon the deck, threatening to rip the ship apart just by their sheer force. The small crew, for it was only a delivery journey, was striving to steer their way through. "Come on men!" the captain shouted harshly through all the bedlam. They were attempting to keep the sails from tearing to shreds, but the task was easier said than done. Saffir stood below deck, holding the precious letter safe, knowing that it had to be delivered at all costs. He knew that the remuneration for loyalty would be in gold and jewels, and thus this risk was one worth taking. Outside, he gales screeched loudly like banshees foreseeing death, and the rain continued to fall from the skies like the tears wept by a heartbroken maiden. And thus, ends Chapter Eight, plowing the way for Chapter Nine to begin! Please R and R!